Samarjeet Kumar Singh Materials Engineering

50 TERMS OF
STEEL MAKING

Steelmaking Process
Steelmaking is a complex and essential industrial process involving the transformation
of raw materials into high-quality steel. Starting with iron ore, coke, and limestone in a
blast furnace, iron ore is reduced to molten pig iron. This pig iron is then re ned in a
Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), where oxygen or
electric arcs remove impurities and adjust the composition. Secondary metallurgy
processes in a ladle further re ne the molten steel, ensuring the desired properties and
quality. Continuous casting shapes the steel into semi- nished products like slabs,
billets, and blooms, which are subsequently rolled and processed into various nished
forms. This intricate journey from raw materials to nished steel highlights the
technological advancements and meticulous control required to produce the versatile
and indispensable material known as steel.
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 Samarjeet Kumar Singh Materials Engineering

1. Blast Furnace: A tall, vertical structure where iron ore, coke, and limestone are
continuously supplied from the top while a hot air blast is blown into the bottom. The hot
air reacts with the coke, generating carbon monoxide, which then reduces the iron ore to
molten iron. The limestone acts as a ux, combining with impurities to form slag, which is
removed separately.

2. Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF): A vessel where molten pig iron from the blast furnace
is re ned into steel. Pure oxygen is blown through a lance at high velocity into the molten
iron, oxidizing the carbon and other impurities to form slag and gases, which are removed.
This process signi cantly reduces the carbon content and re nes the steel.

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3. Electric Arc Furnace (EAF): A furnace that uses electric arcs from carbon electrodes
to melt scrap steel or direct reduced iron (DRI). The EAF is a exible and ef cient

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method, allowing for precise control over the composition and temperature of the steel,
making it suitable for producing various steel grades.

4. Ladle: A large, insulated container used to transport and pour molten metal between
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different stages of steelmaking, such as from the furnace to the continuous casting
machine. Ladles are lined with refractory materials to withstand the high temperatures and
prevent heat loss.

5. Refractory: Materials that can withstand high temperatures and are used to line
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furnaces, ladles, and other steelmaking equipment. Common refractory materials include
alumina, silica, magnesia, and various ceramics. They protect the structural components
from thermal and chemical damage during the steelmaking process.
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6. Pig Iron: The intermediate product of smelting iron ore with coke in a blast furnace. Pig
iron contains about 4-5% carbon, along with various impurities like silicon, manganese,
and phosphorus. It is brittle and not useful in its raw form but is a primary input for further
re ning into steel.
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7. Scrap Steel: Recycled steel that is re-melted and used as a raw material for new steel
production. Scrap steel is a critical component in EAF operations and helps reduce the
need for raw iron ore extraction, making steelmaking more sustainable.

8. Direct Reduced Iron (DRI): Also known as sponge iron, DRI is produced by reducing
iron ore using a reducing gas (commonly natural gas) or coal at temperatures below the
melting point of iron. DRI is used as a feedstock in EAFs, providing a high-quality input
material.

9. Coke: A high-carbon fuel derived from coal by heating it in the absence of air in a coke
oven. Coke is used in blast furnaces as both a fuel to generate the necessary heat and a
reducing agent to convert iron ore into pig iron.

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Samarjeet Kumar Singh Materials Engineering

10. Limestone: A sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

In the blast furnace, limestone acts as a ux, helping to remove impurities from the iron
ore by forming a uid slag that can be easily separated from the molten iron.

11. Slag: A byproduct of the steelmaking process, consisting of impurities removed from
the iron ore, coke, and uxes. Slag oats on the surface of the molten metal and is
removed and processed for various uses, such as in construction materials or as a cement
additive.

12. Desulfurization: The process of removing sulfur from molten iron or steel, typically
done by adding reagents like calcium carbide or magnesium. High sulfur content can cause

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steel to be brittle, so desulfurization is crucial for producing high-quality steel.

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13. Alloy Steel: Steel that contains additional alloying elements such as chromium, nickel,
vanadium, or molybdenum, added to enhance speci c properties like strength, toughness,
corrosion resistance, and wear resistance.

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14. Tundish: A refractory-lined vessel that holds molten steel from the ladle before it is
poured into the continuous casting machine. The tundish helps regulate the ow of steel,
ensuring a steady and controlled transfer to the mold, reducing turbulence and minimizing
defects.
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15. Continuous Casting: A process where molten steel is solidi ed into semi- nished
shapes such as billets, blooms, or slabs in a continuous manner. This method replaces
traditional ingot casting and subsequent rolling, improving ef ciency and product quality.
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16. Ingot Casting: The process of pouring molten steel into molds to form ingots. The
ingots are then removed from the molds, reheated, and processed into various shapes and
sizes through rolling or forging.
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17. Billet: A semi- nished steel product with a square or rectangular cross-section,
typically smaller than a bloom. Billets are produced by continuous casting or rolling ingots
and are further processed into nished products like bars, rods, and wire.

18. Bloom: A semi- nished steel product with a larger cross-section than a billet. Blooms
are produced by rolling ingots or by continuous casting and are further processed into
structural shapes, rails, and large bars.

19. Slab: A at, semi- nished steel product produced by rolling ingots or continuous
casting. Slabs are used as feedstock for rolling into at products such as plates, sheets, and
strips.

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Samarjeet Kumar Singh Materials Engineering
20. Hot Rolling: The process of rolling steel at high temperatures (above its
recrystallization temperature) to shape it into various forms like bars, rods, sheets, or
structural sections. Hot rolling improves the ductility and toughness of the steel.

21. Cold Rolling: Rolling steel at room temperature to achieve closer dimensional
tolerances, better surface nish, and increased strength through work hardening. Cold-
rolled products are used in applications requiring precise dimensions and smooth surfaces.

22. Annealing: A heat treatment process where steel is heated to a speci c temperature
and then slowly cooled. Annealing softens the steel, improves its ductility, and relieves
internal stresses, making it easier to work with.

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23. Quenching: Rapidly cooling steel from a high temperature, usually by immersing it in
water, oil, or air. Quenching increases the hardness and strength of the steel but can make

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it brittle, often followed by tempering to improve toughness.

24. Tempering: Reheating quenched steel to a lower temperature and then cooling it, to
reduce brittleness and increase toughness. Tempering adjusts the hardness and ductility of
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the steel to the desired level for speci c applications.

25. Normalizing: Heating steel to a high temperature and then allowing it to cool in air.
Normalizing re nes the grain structure, improves mechanical properties, and reduces
internal stresses, providing a more uniform microstructure.
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26. Carbon Steel: Steel where the main alloying element is carbon, with varying amounts
affecting its properties. Low carbon steel is soft and ductile, medium carbon steel balances
strength and ductility, and high carbon steel is hard and brittle.
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27. Stainless Steel: Steel alloyed with chromium (at least 10.5%) and sometimes nickel,
known for its corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is used in applications requiring high
strength, durability, and resistance to rust and staining.
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28. High-Speed Steel: A type of alloy steel that maintains its hardness at high
temperatures, used for cutting tools like drills, taps, and milling cutters. It contains
elements like tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium to enhance its properties.

29. Tool Steel: Steel used to make tools and dies, characterized by high hardness,
resistance to abrasion, and ability to retain a cutting edge. Tool steels often contain
elements like tungsten, molybdenum, and chromium.

30. Martensite: A hard, brittle microstructure formed in steel when it is rapidly cooled
(quenched) from a high temperature. Martensite is responsible for the hardness and
strength of quenched steels but requires tempering to reduce brittleness.

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 Samarjeet Kumar Singh Materials Engineering

31. Austenite: A face-centered cubic (FCC) structure in steel, stable at high temperatures.
Austenite is soft and ductile, allowing for easier shaping and forming. It transforms into
other structures like martensite or ferrite upon cooling.

32. Ferrite: A body-centered cubic (BCC) structure in steel, stable at room temperature.
Ferrite is soft and ductile, providing toughness and workability to steel. It often coexists
with other microstructures like pearlite in carbon steels.

33. Pearlite: A lamellar mixture of ferrite and cementite formed in steel during slow
cooling. Pearlite provides a balance of strength and ductility, making it an important
microstructure in many carbon steels.

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34. Cementite: Iron carbide (Fe3C), a hard, brittle compound present in steel. Cementite

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contributes to the hardness and wear resistance of steel but can make it brittle if present in
large amounts.

35. Deoxidation: The process of removing oxygen from molten steel to prevent the
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formation of oxides, which can cause defects and weaken the steel. Common deoxidizing
agents include silicon, manganese, and aluminum.

36. Vacuum Degassing: Removing dissolved gases like hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen
from molten steel under vacuum. Vacuum degassing improves the quality and properties
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of steel by reducing gas-related defects and enhancing purity.

37. Ladle Re ning: Secondary steelmaking processes conducted in the ladle to ne-tune
the composition, temperature, and cleanliness of the steel. Techniques include deoxidation,
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alloying, and degassing to achieve the desired properties.

38. Slabbing Mill: A rolling mill that converts ingots into slabs. The slabs are then used as
feedstock for further rolling into at products like plates and sheets.
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39. Basicity: A measure of the ratio of basic to acidic oxides in slag. High basicity slag
absorbs more impurities and helps protect the furnace lining, while low basicity slag is
more uid and easier to remove.

40. Electroslag Remelting (ESR): A re ning process where an ingot is remelted in a pool
of molten slag. The slag removes impurities, and the re ned metal solidi es in a controlled
environment, producing high-quality steel with improved properties.

41. Casting Powder: A powder added to the mold during continuous casting to lubricate
and protect the solidifying steel. It forms a layer between the steel and the mold, reducing
friction and preventing defects.

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Samarjeet Kumar Singh Materials Engineering
42. Secondary Metallurgy: Processes conducted after primary steelmaking to re ne the
steel. These include adjusting the chemical composition, removing impurities, and
controlling the temperature to meet speci c quality standards.

43. Heat: A batch of steel produced in a single cycle of steelmaking, often referring to the
molten steel in a furnace or ladle. Each heat is carefully monitored and controlled to ensure
consistent quality.

44. Converter: A vessel used for converting pig iron to steel, such as in a basic oxygen
furnace. The converter is lined with refractory materials to withstand the high temperatures
and chemical reactions during the conversion process.

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45. Charge: The raw materials added to a furnace for melting and steel production,
including iron ore, coke, limestone, scrap steel, and alloying elements. The charge

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composition affects the properties of the nal steel product.

46. Taphole: The opening in a furnace or ladle through which molten metal is poured out.
In a blast furnace, the taphole is opened to release molten iron, while in a BOF or EAF, it
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is used to tap the molten steel into a ladle.

47. Hot Metal: Another term for molten pig iron produced in a blast furnace. Hot metal is
transported to a steelmaking furnace, such as a BOF, for further re ning into steel.
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48. Ingot: A large, rectangular block of steel cast into a shape suitable for further
processing. Ingots are typically reheated and rolled or forged into nished products.

49. Rolling Mill: A machine or factory for shaping metal by passing it between rolls.
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Rolling mills can produce various shapes and sizes, including bars, rods, sheets, and
structural sections.

50. Coke Oven: A facility where coal is heated in the absence of air to produce coke for
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use in the blast furnace. The process drives off volatile compounds, leaving behind a
carbon-rich, porous material ideal for use as a fuel and reducing agent in steelmaking.

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